Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast

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BUSINESS NEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?

5 DAYS AGO

The U.S. Airlines Growing and Shrinking in 2025

Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat crunch the big numbers to reveal which U.S. carriers are in expansion mode in the first quarter of 2025 and which operators are shrinking year-on-year. Takeaways The US airline industry is seeing a modest capacity increase of 1% for Q1 2025. Delta Airlines is focusing growth on mid-continent hubs like Atlanta and Minneapolis. United Airlines is experiencing the fastest growth among major carriers, with a 5% increase in capacity. American Airlines is slowing down growth, particularly at major hubs like LAX and JFK. Southwest Airlines is reducing capacity by 4% as part of a strategy to return to profitability. Alaska Airlines is growing modestly at 2%, focusing on secondary markets. JetBlue is shrinking overall by 3%, with significant cuts in Los Angeles and Newark. Spirit Airlines is undergoing restructuring due to bankruptcy, leading to drastic capacity cuts. Frontier Airlines is capitalizing on Spirit's struggles, with a 9% increase in capacity. The competitive landscape is shifting, with low-cost carriers facing challenges while major airlines adapt to market demands. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

32 min
2 JAN

What Does 2025 Mean for the Airline Industry?

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat turn their attention to the year ahead. Going region-by-region, the pair share the emerging stories that are on their radar for 2025 and beyond. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

31 min
27/12/2024

The Biggest Airline Trends of 2024 (Part Two)

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are back for the second half of their 2024 trends countdown. Hot topics include the impact of a strong U.S. Dollar and chronic supply chain issues. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

30 min
19/12/2024

The Biggest Airline Trends of 2024 (Part One)

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the biggest trends to have shaped the airline sector in 2024. From continued consolidation to a horror show for U.S. LCCs, we reflect on a fascinating year for the industry. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

34 min
13/12/2024

Airline Junk Fees Under Scrutiny

In this week’s episode, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat are joined by Skift airlines reporter Meghna Maharishi to discuss why ancillary fees are coming under pressure from lawmakers in Washington. In part two, Gordon and Jay turn their attention to Taiwan’s booming airline market and explore the key factors behind its recent success. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

33 min
06/12/2024

DFW Airport CEO on New Terminals, New Airlines, and Finding Solutions to New Problems

In this week's show, Airline Weekly's Gordon Smith is in conversation with Sean Donohue, CEO of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. This wide-ranging discussion includes insights into major terminal overhauls, attracting new airline partners, and ensuring operational resilience. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

34 min
29/11/2024

AirAsia CEO on Trump, Tragedies and Transformation

Recorded at the Skift Global Forum East held in Dubai earlier this month, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes speaks to Skift Asia Editor Peden Bhutia. In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair discuss everything from a second Trump presidency to how Fernandes handled the aftermath of a deadly plane crash. Key Takeaways: Merger and Operational Adaptations: The merger of AirAsia and AirAsia X simplifies operations and capitalizes on the Airbus A321 LR and XLR, which reduce the need for wide-body aircraft. This strategy aligns with evolving demand and efficiency goals post-COVID-19. Resilience and Transparency: Fernandes highlights his commitment to transparency, particularly during crises like the pandemic and the loss of an aircraft. He sees open communication as critical to maintaining trust with customers, staff, and stakeholders, even when faced with criticism or financial challenges. Vision for Expansion and Legacy: Capital A is leveraging its resilience to expand into complementary sectors like logistics and fintech. Fernandes envisions building a "low-cost Dubai" in Kuala Lumpur and ensuring his leadership leaves a foundation for sustainable growth beyond his tenure. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

24 min
23/11/2024

American Airlines CEO on Trump, Boeing, and New Routes

In this special episode, Gordon Smith is in conversation with American Airlines CEO, Robert Isom. Recorded at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas, the pair discuss many of the thorniest topics impacting the industry. From perspectives on a second Trump presidency to the challenges at Boeing - you can't afford to miss these exclusive insights from one of the biggest names in U.S. aviation. Key Takeaways Focus on Certainty and Collaboration: American Airlines CEO Robert Isom emphasized the importance of certainty in the airline industry and expressed optimism about working with government administrations to prioritize aviation investments, visa facilitation, and sustainability efforts. Record Holiday Performance and Demand: American Airlines achieved its busiest Thanksgiving in 2023 with record-low cancellations and strong demand. The company anticipates robust demand and reliability for the 2024 holiday season, supported by operational preparedness and system resilience. Labor Relations and Contracts: The airline has successfully negotiated contracts with over 90,000 employees in the past 14 months, including pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics. These agreements provide stability, planning certainty, and improvements in work quality, which are expected to benefit both employees and operational efficiency. Fleet Strategy and Premium Growth: American Airlines is enhancing its fleet with new aircraft, including Airbus A321XLRs and Boeing 787s, while upgrading existing planes like the 777s. The company is also increasing premium seating capacity by 20% by 2026, reflecting strong customer demand for high-end products. Sustainability and Technological Upgrades: Sustainability remains a priority, with investments in fuel-efficient aircraft, modernized air traffic control, and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) production. The airline is also expanding satellite Wi-Fi capabilities across its fleet to enhance customer experience. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

37 min

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The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?